Mary Alice Hicks

Mrs. Mary Alice Bosenberg Hicks, age 88 passed away late Tuesday evening, January 20, 2015 in Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She was born October 23, 1926 in DeFuniak Springs, the daughter of Charles Fredrick and Ruby Quick Bosenberg. She attended Walton County Schools graduating with Walton’s Class of 1944. Interestingly enough, her sister was one of her teachers. After graduation, Mary Alice was employed with Service Drugs in DeFuniak Springs, back during the day there were soda fountains in drug stores. About this time, a young man who worked for Southeastern Telephone Company out of Tallahassee was assigned to DeFuniak Springs for a six month stay to rebuild the exchanges. This young man, Jack Hicks, made his way to Service Drugs to enjoy a Cherry Coke; not the ones available in cans today, but old fashion Cherry Cokes made behind the counter. Obviously, Jack developed a real hankering for Cherry Cokes, after he met Mary Alice. At least two or three times a day he visited the soda fountain and on more than one occasion got two cherries in his Coke. A love developed between Jack and Mary Alice and finally he got up the nerve to ask for her hand in marriage, only to be told he would have to get permission from her mom and dad first. He was told by her mom there was one condition for approval; he must agree to “hand his check each month over to Mary Alice so he wouldn’t be buying that nasty ol’ beer”. Jack quickly agreed to the sacrifice and a marriage that would span almost 65 years ensued. One of Mary Alice’s favorite things was to take the comic books that were not picked up by the vendor and give them to Jack’s nieces and nephews and to local children that might not otherwise have an opportunity of having one. Jack and Mary Alice rented Mrs. Cawthon’s apartment (Peck, Sr. ‘s Mother) until moving into their dream home on Huggins Road where they spent their lives together. Almost inseparable Jack was with Mary Alice as her health declined and was with her when she went home late Tuesday night. She was a member of First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs.

Among survivors are her husband Jack; her sister-in-law Rubye and husband Bob and her brother-in-law Lynwood. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Floral arrangements are being accepted. A time of visitation will be Friday, January 23, 2015 in First Baptist Church from 10 until 11 AM with the funeral beginning at 11 AM in the church with Dr. Bobby Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in the Bosenberg/Hicks Family Plot in Magnolia Cemetery.